Name
(Charles) Patrick Caesar (*1)
3rd February 1887.
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/07/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
7th Battalion.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 12 A and 12 D.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commeorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield, Plaque within Keble Collage, Oxford, War Memorial Chapel
Pre War
Charles Patrick Caesar was born in Tottenham, Middx, on 3rd February 1887, son of Chas Augustus Caesar a Surgeon (B 1845 in Ireland) and Martha Frances Caesar (nee Hall) (B 1849 in Tottenham, Middx).
1891 Census records Charles aged 4 living with his Uncle Charles Hall, also a Surgeon, his widowed mother, sisters Irene 10, and Muriel 7, in Fore Street, Hatfield.
1901 Census records Charles aged 14, as a boarder at The School, Durham, Crossgate, County Durham. From there he went to University, studying at Keble Collage, Oxford. While at University he was a member of the University Officers Training Corps.
By 1911 Charles had left University and was working as an Civil Engineer, living at home with his widowed mother and sister Muriel, in Gallycroft, Hatfield.
Wartime Service
In August 1914, Charles joined the 7th Battalion, The Shropshire Light Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant. Later promoted to Lieutenant. Landing in France on 27th September 1915. He was killed in Action, on 14th July 1916, near Bazentin-le- Grand, during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.
The London Gazette of 28 August, 1914, recorded: “The under mentioned Cadets and ex-Cadets of the Officers Traoning Corps to be Temporary Second Lieutenants. Then on 29th August, 1914: "REGULAR FORCES.........Charles Patrick Caesar.”"
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of October 1914, in 2nd list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Caesar, Patrick, Lieut. Galleycroft - 8th Bn. Welsh Regt.” Then in August 1916: “killed in Action – Lt. Charles Patrick Caesar, King’s
Shropshire Light Infantry.
Patrick Caesar lived his short life chiefly in our midst. He was known to many parishioners; he was respected and admired, nay loved by a very large number. His sterling, upright character, his unfaltering Christianity, his strict adhesion to duty – all combined to impress those around him, unobtrusive though his example ever was. When the fact of his heroic death became known, there was a feeling – grief for him and for those he loved, to whom he was all in all. Whether at school of in the office or later on at Oxford, everywhere Patrick Caesar was loved and followed, for his influence was always for good. The war broke out and he joined the Army, surrendering for the time being his dearest hope of entering Holy Orders, and there too this leading characteristic of influencing men continued. His Mother hears that when he was killed in a great advance on the 14th July, while leading his men to victory, officers and men alike mourned his loss most deeply; they recognised his integrity and his splendid soldierly qualities. What his loss must be to those who are left behind in that desolated home, one dare not think. His blameless life and glorious death will remain in our memories as an example of Christian endeavour rand Christian sacrifice; his good influence on the men and boys of Hatfield will live as long as memory lasts. And in the great Life Beyond, he is now by prayer united to us, and we can be sure that his voice is not still and that his spirit is ever pleading for those whom he loved and among whom he dwelt. On July 24th there was a Celebration of the Holy Communion at the Parish Church to which Lieutenant Caesar’s friends were asked to come and pray for him; this many did. Appended is a letter received by his Mother from the Chaplain, describing what occurred; truly his was a gallant death.
July 18th
Dear Mrs Caesar, - In the attack on the 14th July, we gained a victory but suffered some loss, and amongst those whom we could ill spare is your son. We found him by the enemy wire over which his men had to get. A machine gun swept the ground in front and your son was killed almost at the moment of victory. He was a fine fellow, and those of us who remain are feeling very sad about it. He died a soldier’s death leading his men up the slope of the hill. I have known him from the old Aldershot days and he was always the same quiet, steady man, who in a tight place would act best for his men without thought for his own danger. Will you please accept my own, and the sympathy of those who are left, in your loss. – I am yours sincerely P. Erskine Lee, C.F.”
The Herts. Advertiser of 29th July 1916, recorded: “Lieut. Pat Caesar of the Shropshire Light Infantry the only son of Mrs Caesar of Galley Croft has been killed in the recent fighting in France. Previous to the war he was well known for the energetic part he took in the social and church work of the parish and was also a prominent figure in local cricket. He was studying at Oxford with the intention of taking Holy Orders. A special service for the repose of his soul was held in the Parish Church on Monday morning. Much sympathy is felt in the parish for his widowed mother and her daughters.”
Awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal & 1915 Star.
Additional Information
*1 The "Hatfield In Memoriam Book and the Plaque within St Luke's Church" have him as Patrick Caesar. The value of his effects were £82-13s-5d, The recipient was not given.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Caesar (Mother) of Galleycroft House, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Stuart Osborne, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
